Frozen Shoulder: Causes, Symptoms & How Bowen Therapy Can Help
Ever had shoulder pain that made it hard to lift your arm, reach to something or even put on your clothes? At first, you might think it's just muscle soreness. But when the pain continues.
Frozen shoulder is a condition where the shoulder joint is less mobile and makes it harder to do normal activities. While it can improve over time, the recovery process may take months or even years without appropriate management.
Understanding what causes frozen shoulder, recognising its symptoms, and knowing how physiotherapy can help are important steps towards getting your shoulder moving again.
What Is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition where the tissues surrounding the shoulder joint become inflamed, thickened, and tight.
The shoulder joint is surrounded by a flexible tissue called the joint capsule. This capsule helps support the joint while allowing your arm to move freely. When frozen shoulder develops, the capsule becomes stiff and restricts movement.
As a result, you may experience:
Shoulder pain that makes movement uncomfortable.
Stiffness that limits how far you can move your arm.
Difficulty performing simple daily activities.
Pain that may become worse at night or when lying on the affected shoulder.
Frozen shoulder commonly affects one shoulder, although some people may experience it in both shoulders at different times.
What Causes Frozen Shoulder?
There are various causes for frozen shoulder. Sometimes, it happens without an obvious cause. This is known as primary or idiopathic frozen shoulder. In other cases, it develops after an injury, surgery, or a period when the shoulder has not been moving much.
1. Shoulder injury or surgery
Individuals may not want to move their shoulder following an injury or surgery due to pain. Lack of movement over time can lead to stiffness and can cause a frozen shoulder
2. Prolonged shoulder restaint
Keeping your shoulder still for a long period, such as after a fracture or injury, may increase the risk of developing stiffness.
3. Certain medical conditions
Frozen shoulder is more common among people with diabetes. It may also be associated with other conditions such as thyroid disease.
However, not everyone with these conditions will develop frozen shoulder.
4. Age and other risk factors
Frozen shoulder is most common in adults between 40 and 60 years old. It is also more frequently reported in women.
What Are the Symptoms of a Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder typically develops over time. The symptoms can begin with pain and only become more prominent as stiffness sets in.
Shoulder pain
You may feel a dull or aching pain around the shoulder. The pain can become worse when moving your arm or lying on the affected side.
Limited shoulder movement
Reaching overhead, reaching behind your back, or putting on a shirt may become difficult because your shoulder feels tight.
Pain that affects sleep
Some people experience increased shoulder pain at night, especially when sleeping on the affected side.
It is important to know that a frozen shoulder is not a pain in the shoulder alone. The combination of pain and significant stiffness is what makes frozen shoulder different from many other shoulder conditions.
The 3 Stages of Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder typically progresses through three stages. Each stage can affect your pain level and shoulder movement differently.
Freezing stage
Usually 2–9 months
Pain gradually increases, and shoulder movement starts becoming more limited. The pain may be worse at night.
Frozen stage
Usually 4–12 months
Pain may begin to improve, but the shoulder becomes increasingly stiff. Everyday movements such as reaching overhead or behind your back may be difficult.
Thawing stage
Usually 6–24 months
Shoulder movement gradually improves, allowing you to perform daily activities more comfortably.
These timeframes are approximate. Everyone's recovery is different, and some people may take longer to regain their shoulder movement.
How Is Frozen Shoulder Diagnosed?
A physical examination is usually done to diagnose frozen shoulders by a qualified healthcare professional.
During the assessment, the physiotherapist or doctor may look at:
Your shoulder pain and how long you have experienced it.
How far you can move your shoulder.
Whether both active and passive movements are restricted.
Your shoulder strength and overall function.
Any previous injuries, surgery, or medical conditions.
In some cases, an X-ray or other imaging may be recommended to rule out other causes of shoulder pain, such as arthritis or a fracture.
Not every shoulder pain is frozen shoulder. Conditions such as rotator cuff problems, shoulder arthritis, or other injuries can cause similar symptoms. This is why a proper assessment is important.
How Can Physiotherapy or Bowen Therapy Help Frozen Shoulder?
Physiotherapy can help manage frozen shoulder by reducing pain, improving shoulder mobility, and helping you regain the ability to perform everyday activities. The treatment can involve mobility excersices, hands on techniques, pain management and instruction for recovery.
Normal Physiotherapy can help, however, at Bowen Body Balance, we don’t just concentrate on the shoulder joint. We examine the scapula (shoulder blade) in detail as well, which plays an important role in how the shoulder and arm move.
1. Shoulder mobility exercises
A physiotherapist may prescribe gentle exercises to maintain or improve your shoulder range of motion.
Examples include:
Pendulum exercises.
Gentle shoulder flexion exercises.
External rotation exercises.
Assisted shoulder movements.
The exercises should be appropriate for your condition. Forcing the shoulder too aggressively may increase pain and irritation.
2. Manual therapy
Hands-on techniques can be used to help reduce stiffness and improve comfort during movement. The treatment is adjusted according to your symptoms and how your body responds.
3. Scapula- Focused Bowen Therapy
One of the approaches that are used at Bowen Body balance is focusing on the scapula, rather than looking at only the shoulder joint. The scapula needs to glide smoothly to ensure that arm movements are efficient. This is because the scapula is connected to several important areas, including the cervical spine and skull, the humerus, and the rib cage. These connections are what influences the shoulder to move.
By applying Bowen Therapy around the scapular area, the aim is to address the restrictions which may be affecting the shoulder movement and support a more comfortable movement. This scapula- focused approach is one of the ways that Bowen Body balance approaches frozen shoulder differently, with treatments that are tailored to the individual’s movement and symptoms.
4. Strength & Mobility Training
Once you’re able to move better, strength and mobility training can be beneficial to your shoulder function and your capacity to perform daily activities. The exercises are modified to suit your current ability and progress gradually as your movement improves.
5. Education and recovery guidance
Frozen shoulder recovery can take time, and everyone’s symptoms and movement limitations are different. Your therapist can guide you on suitable exercises, activity plans, and ways to manage your symptoms and pain throughout the recovery.
When Should You See a Therapist?
You don't have to wait until your shoulder becomes completely stiff before seeking help.
Consider getting your shoulder assessed if you experience these:
Shoulder pain that continues for several weeks.
Difficulty raising your arm or reaching behind your back.
Pain that affects your sleep.
Shoulder stiffness that interferes with dressing, bathing, or other daily activities.
Persistent pain following a shoulder injury or surgery.
Early assessment can help identify the cause of your symptoms and guide you towards an appropriate treatment plan.
Why Choose Bowen Body Balance for Frozen Shoulder Treatment?
When shoulder pain and stiffness start affecting your daily activities, finding the right approach to manage your symptoms is an important step towards recovery. At Bowen Body Balance, we specialized in pain relief and functional training, combining Bowen Therapy with strength and mobility training to support your movement and overall well-being.
Here are the key reasons to consider Bowen Body Balance for your physiotherapy journey.
Personalised Mobility Assessment
Gentle Pain Relief and Management
Movement Rehabilitation
Strength and Mobility Training
A Team with Diverse Movement Expertise
We also take a scapula-focused approach to frozen shoulder, recognising the important role of the shoulder blade in overall shoulder movement. This targeted approach is incorporated into our Bowen Therapy to provide a more personalised way of addressing shoulder mobility and function.
At Bowen Body balance, we believe that understanding your body and finding the right approach to movement can make a difference in your recovery journey. With personalized care and a focus on pain management and functional movement, we aim to support you in getting back to the activities that you enjoy.
Your Frozen Shoulder Questions, Answered
1. Can frozen shoulder heal on its own?
Frozen shoulder can improve naturally over time, but recovery may take a long time. During recovery, you can use physiotherapy to control the symptoms and to improve your movement.
2. Can I exercise if I have frozen shoulder?
Yes, gentle and appropriate exercises are generally encouraged. However, the exercises should be appropriate for your condition and pain level. Avoid forcing movements that cause significant pain.
3. Is frozen shoulder the same as a rotator cuff injury?
No. Frozen shoulder mainly involves pain and restriction of shoulder movement. A rotator cuff injury involves the tendons around the shoulder and may cause pain or weakness. The two conditions can have similar symptoms, so a proper assessment is important.
4. How long does frozen shoulder take to recover?
Everyone's recovery is unique. Frozen shoulder may take months or even a few years to fully recover. Your recovery time depends on the severity of the condition and other individual factors.
5. Should I use heat or ice for frozen shoulder?
Heat may help some people feel more comfortable before gentle stretching, while ice may help relieve pain after activity. The best option depends on your symptoms and individual response.
6. Can physiotherapy completely cure frozen shoulder?
Physiotherapy can help improve pain, mobility, and function. However, recovery varies, and no treatment can guarantee an immediate or complete cure. Your physiotherapist can guide you through the most appropriate management plan.
Conclusion
Move Better, Live Better with Bowen Body Balance
Frozen shoulder can make simple movements feel difficult, but you don't have to manage it alone. With the right care, and a more personalised approach, you can work towards managing discomfort, improving mobility, and getting back to the activities you enjoy doing. If you're experiencing persistent shoulder pain or stiffness, getting the right assessment can help you better understand your condition and the options that are available to you.
Your movement matters. Take the first step towards moving better with Bowen Body Balance.
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